In a statement issued on 27 June, the party noted, “This brutal incident in a college located in the Chief Minister’s own constituency once again brings the question of women’s safety to the forefront. The recurrence of rape in educational institutions, particularly with alleged involvement of TMC leaders, is extremely alarming.”
CPI(ML) expressed concern that political affiliation may be used to shield the accused, and demanded exemplary punishment from the highest levels of state administration. The party announced protest programmes in response.
On the same day, the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) also issued a statement, asserting that the gang-rape was a reflection of emboldened patriarchal power under the TMC regime. AIPWA pointed out that the main accused is closely associated with TMC leaders, and that this political protection contributes to a culture of impunity, where consent is routinely disregarded.
The organisation highlighted the absence of democratic mechanisms in college campuses, such as student union elections and functioning Internal Committees (ICs). AIPWA saluted the survivor’s courage in filing a complaint despite threats of video circulation, and affirmed full solidarity with her. It demanded that educational institutions and public spaces be made safe and accessible for women.
BJP Violence on Justice Seeking Protesters
On 30 June 2025, during a protest held in front of South Calcutta Law College by the Reclaim the Night, Reclaim the Rights platform, demonstrators were attacked by BJP supporters.
The protest was organised to demand immediate justice for the survivor in South Calcutta Law College case and to condemn the increasing normalisation of sexual violence in campuses under political patronage. The protesters also raised slogans demanding the arrest of Kartik Maharaj of Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Beldanga, Murshidabad, who is accused of rape. They connected the incident at Kasba with the long list of such crimes that have seen little or no justice, from Hathras to RG Kar.
At the same time, a BJP ‘Central Fact-Finding Team’ arrived at the site, accompanied by a group of BJP supporters. When the protest slogans began to include demands for punishment for Kartik Maharaj and justice for victims of sexual violence under various regimes, including cases in Unnao and Hathras, the BJP group attacked the protesters.
The BJP supporters, including men, physically assaulted women participants, including activists of the AIPWA and Reclaim Movement. One protester’s clothes were torn and several were pushed and shoved in an incident that bore resemblance to mob violence.
AIPWA condemned the attack as an attempt to silence democratic protest and intimidate women’s voices seeking justice.
